One of the great joys of my long time membership in the National Speakers Association are my peers. Monica Wofford and I had the opportunity to reconnect at the recent Central Florida Christian Chamber of Commerce. Currently she is the president of the Central Florida Chapter of NSA.
Visit Monica's web site and learn about this great lady, her programs, and keynote addresses. She has pioneered the concept of Contagious Leadership.
Be On-Purpose!
Kevin
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I found this presentation on TED that breaks down some of the key qualities of being on-purpose. RIchard St. John was asked a simple question by a teenager. His pursuit of the answer lead to 500 interviews over 7 years with successful people. In 3 minutes Richard provides great insight in an entertaining manner. Enjoy!
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Lunch today was fun! Thanks to a mutual friend, Kevin McCarthy met Kevin McCarthy. For the first time in my life, I signed a book to another Kevin McCarthy.
Kevin O. McCarthy (on the left) gets my vote for being one smart, straight talking, principled, entrepreneurial, and strategic thinker. Wow!
Kevin is a second term US Congressman from Bakersfield, CA, an agricultural and oil area. His roots run deep in terms of integrity and leadership. I was profoundly encouraged to see a man of high character and practical business experience serving our nation.
We need more business persons being about the people's business. Government is big business but it is overrun with lawyers. No lawyer jokes here. I have tremendous respect for their training, profession, and role; but legal minds are contentious minds. Business minds are trained to manage and lead with an eye toward creating value.
One day I hope to have the opportunity to vote for Kevin McCarthy for President or Vice President of the United States. Kevin McCarthy is a winner... and not just in name only!
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One's education and life trajectory are highly correlated. For some reason, however, many segments of our US population (children and parents) view schooling as a prison sentence instead of an opportunity of a lifetime.
Let me assume you don't know of Shakira, a international pop sensation from Colombia, South America, not South Carolina. This young woman's remarkable voice, talent, and moves (She Wolf song video) have catapulted her to the top of the song charts.
Shakira, gets it, however, when it comes to education - she is pouring much of her earnings into education by founding a school in her hometown of Barranquilla. The multiple Grammy winner has gifted $6 million through her foundation, Pies Descalzos, which means "barefoot" in Spanish, to create a school to help 150 kids get ahead in life.
And if you're tempted to think Shakira is simply an empty-headed, manufactured public relations image, let me encourage you to watch the short video (below) of a speech she gave in the United Kingdom at Oxford Union about the importance of education.
Shakira, you are an on-purpose person! Thank you for converting your pop culture fortunes into dollars dedicated to improving the culture of your country. Your legacy will live in the lives of those children and the generations to follow.
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My daughter, Anne, is a 16-year-old competitive soccer player. She serves as a junior captain of her Trinity Prep high school soccer team as well as a player on the Football Club of America (Kumba Soccer) located here in Orlando. Her Kumba team was having a car wash fund raiser in late September. An accident occurred where one teammate's foot slipped off the brakes and the car pinned another teammate against a wall. Bree McMahon's legs were crushed. Anne was one of many who sprang into action. She called 911 and provided a towel for Bree's head as she lay on the ground awaiting the arrival of paramedics.
Initially, we anticipated broken legs and damage to Bree's knees. The severity of the accident came to light a few hours later when Anne's text from the hospital said, "Bree's legs might have to be amputated because the blood vessels were crushed." Judith and I immediately headed to the hospital to be and pray with the girls.
Jenna Bush Hager (George and Laura Bush's daughter) of The Today Show did a feature on Bree. The clip below tells the story. You'll also get to see and hear a brief comment from Anne from behind Bree's hospital bed.
Bree and Chelsea (the driver involved in the freak accident) are young Christian girls whose faith is serving them both well in terms of forgiveness given and received. The character of both young ladies is remarkable.
If it were your legs crushed that day, how would you respond? My hope would be that I would have grace and understanding like Bree.
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Maria Carter and I met at an On-Purpose Person workshop I conducted in San Diego around 1995. She bubbled with enthusiasm for life and people. She has a voice and spirit that is positively uplifting.
At the time we met, Maria had a dream of helping people learn to love themselves more fully. I'm proud to recommend her book, Fall In Love With Your Life Forever. This work is an expression of her purpose and is true gift to women who struggle with their inner critic. Go to her website and order the book today.
Guys, it is a great gift to give to women in your life. Wives, daughters, and mothers alike will benefit from calming their self critical voice and allowing their true selves to emerge on-purpose. Not only will her life be better, but so will yours. If momma is happy, then everyone is happy. ; )
Howard Dayton is one of the creators of Crown Financial Ministries. I've been blessed to participate in several Crown Ministries programs over the years. In fact, my Crown Group still meets regularly to study, learn, grow, and support each other in life and work.
Howard and I first connected back in 1993 when The On-Purpose Person was first released. I remember having lunch with him and being impressed with his gracious manner, genuine faith, and sense of call upon his life. Here was an on-purpose person par excellence. At the time, I remember Howard's excitement that over 27,000 people that year had participated in the Crown Financial Ministries flagship program: Biblical Financial Study. Today, there are probably 27,000 per week doing this program. It is life transforming. Do this program!
Over the years, Howard and my paths would cross from time to time with chance meetings in airports and such. Wednesday, Howard was the keynote speaker at the stewardship dinner for my church – All Saints Episcopal- Winter Park. We shared a brief reunion. I was delighted to have this photo snapped so I could share it with you. I treasure his leadership and example.
Few of us will ever have the opportunity to transform so many lives. So meet my friend Howard Dayton and give thanks for his life and ministry. By the way, October 7 was his 66th birthday. Happy birthday Howard!
Be On-Purpose!
Kevin
